Work in Progress - 11th March

posted by keith vingoe on Tue, 16/03/2010 - 11:13

At last we all enjoyed some bright sunny weather today at Woody Bay working in our sheltered position behind the station building digging holes for cabling and drainage work. This project, carried out on a day with no visitors about, required some careful excavation of the ground behind the kitchen and signal cabin. Many water pipes and electric cables are known to be buried here. A couple of trenches were dug out by hand to permit the running of a new electric cable and a drainage duct to prevent the puddles often experienced at this location. Also installed was a pipe for the rainwater run-off from the guttering on the kitchen's flat roof.

1. Brian and Robin dig out the drain by the kitchen door.

2. The trench below the kitchen window.

3. Piles of spoil litter behind the kitchen as work reaches the messy stage.

4. Just before lunch it seems doubtful that we can complete the job today.

5. Positive progress as a new pipe is fitted for the rainwater run off.

6. Dave Blencowe supervises the installation of a new cable to run into the building under the wall below the kitchen.

7. Regular volunteer Richard Burgess, despite undergoing continuing chemotherapy treatment, was assisting with this project today.

8. The drainage ducting behind the kitchen and signal cabin is installed.

9. Robin Edwards cementing in around the ducting and guttering pipe gulley
.

The ongoing work at Woody Bay Station continues to be the topic of ongoing debate. However, as money and the availability of equipment and volunteers time permits, many projects from the early days are being revisited and suitably upgraded. One such project is the restoration of the original Gents toilets. Cast iron cisterns - a recent acquisition - are shown here having just returned from being sand blasted ready for painting and installation.